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Louisiana purchase
The Louisiana purchase effectively doubled the size of the US. And it opened up new lands for settlement and exploration. -
Lewis and Clark Expedition
This explored the newly acquired territory and beyond. This added american claims to the Pacific Northwest while promoting the idea of westward settlement -
War of 1812
The war was fought over the impressment of American sailors by the British Navy. This war heightened the desire for controlled land and trade routes westward. -
The Indian Removal Act
This act allowed the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast. This act highlighted the U.S. government's commitment to westward expansion. -
Texas Annexation
The admission of Texas as a state was an event that fueled tensions over slavery and territorial disputes. This was also a significant step in U.S. expansion, particularly towards the Southwest. -
Oregon Trail and the Oregon Treaty
The Oregon Trail allowed the overland migration of thousands of settlers to the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Treaty settled the border dispute, solidifying American claims to the territory and further encouraging migration. -
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill accelerated westward migration, leading to a dramatic influx of settlers into California. This event drove economic investment in the West.